Condemnation ordinance approved

Leavenworth city commissioners have approved an ordinance seeking to acquire private property through condemnation, or eminent domain.

Comment

By John Richmeier

The Leavenworth Times - Leavenworth, KS

By John Richmeier

Posted Dec. 19, 2012 at 8:30 AM

By John Richmeier
Posted Dec. 19, 2012 at 8:30 AM

In other business

When they met Tuesday, Leavenworth city commissioners took up the following issues:

They reached a consensus to move forward with an ordinance to rezone 501 Olive St. The ordinance will be b...

» Read more

X

In other business

When they met Tuesday, Leavenworth city commissioners took up the following issues:

They reached a consensus to move forward with an ordinance to rezone 501 Olive St. The ordinance will be brought back for a vote.

They listened to a report from Wendy Scheidt, executive director of the Leavenworth Main Street Program.

They listened to a presentation from Police Chief Pat Kitchens regarding gun laws.

They reviewed the process used for issuing special use permits.

They were presented recommended changes for the Convention and Tourism Committee.

They were presented a plan for sidewalk construction and repairs.

Leavenworth city commissioners have approved an ordinance seeking to acquire private property through condemnation, or eminent domain.

The ordinance, which was approved Tuesday, will allow the city to bring the matter to Leavenworth County District Court.

City officials are seeking to acquire a portion of the land at 2900 Tonganoxie Road to use for a Limit Street project.

The project would widen Limit Street between 15th and 20th streets and make other improvements. The projected cost for the project is $2.1 million. The Kansas Department of Transportation is contributing $1.1 million to the project.

Mike McDonald, public works director for the city, said officials have continued to be in contact with the owners of the property at 2900 Tonganoxie Road.

“No real progress has been made,” he said.

According to Bob Patzwald, deputy public works director, the city is seeking to acquire a portion of the land that runs parallel to one edge of the property for a length of about 500 feet. That portion of land extends about 10 feet into the property from an existing right of way boundary. City officials also are seeking to acquire triangle-shaped corner of the property.

The ordinance was unanimously approved by the four city commissioners who attended Tuesday’s meeting. Commissioner Mark Preisinger was absent.

Also during Tuesday’s meeting, commissioners approved an addendum to a redevelopment agreement with Stove Factory Lofts, developer of the former Tire Town complex in downtown Leavenworth.

In October, commissioners approved an addendum to a 2005 agreement with the developer. One of the requirements of that earlier addendum called for the developer to close on a construction loan by the end of the year.

The new addendum extends the deadline through Jan. 15.

This extension will allow the developer to meet insurance requirements needed to complete the loan process.

According to City Manager Scott Miller, Steve Foutch of Stove Factory Lofts has been working diligently to obtain the loan.

“We’re very close to closing on this loan,” Miller said.

But with holidays, it may not happen by the end of the month, he said.